How Feinstein's colleagues remembered the longtime senator
From CNN's Clare Foran and Paul LeBlanc
Rep. Nancy Pelosi, surrounded by her family, stand over the casket of Sen. Dianne Feinstein at San Francisco City Hall on October 4. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Colleagues of former Sen. Dianne Feinstein remembered the late senator fondly a day after her death.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi hailed her fellow Californian as a “champion for the Golden State” and Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois remembered her as “one of the great ones.”
GOP Rep. Kevin McCarthy, then House Speaker, also of California, began his remarks to reporters Friday morning by honoring Feinstein as someone who “blazed a trail for women.”
In emotional remarks on the Senate floor, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer asked for a moment of silence.
Per Senate tradition, Feinstein’s desk was draped with a black cloth with a vase of white flowers atop it.
“Dianne Feinstein is not like the others. She’s in a class of her own,” Schumer said, later adding, “America is a better place because of Sen. Dianne Feinstein.”
And President Joe Biden, himself a longtime colleague of Feinstein’s for more than 15 years, called her a “cherished friend.”
CNN’s Lauren Fox, Haley Talbot, Manu Raju and Shania Shelton contributed to this report.
26 min ago
Laphonza Butler sworn in as California's newest senator, filling Feinstein's seat
From CNN's Jack Forrest
Sen. Laphonza Butler is sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris in the Old Senate Chamber at the Capitol on October 3. Anna Rose Layden/Getty Images
Democratic Sen. Laphonza Butler made history Tuesday when she was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris as the first out Black lesbian to enter Congress and the only Black woman presently serving in the Senate.
Butler, who was appointed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, becomes only the third Black woman to serve as a US senator. Her appointment allows a Democratic majority in the chamber through early January 2025
Newsom publicly pledged to appoint a Black woman if Feinstein were to vacate her office and told NBC’s “Meet the Press” earlier this month that he would make an “interim appointment” who wouldn’t be any of the candidates who are seeking the seat in next year’s election.
CNN's Clare Foran, Paul LeBlanc, Lauren Fox, Haley Talbot, Manu Raju and Shania Shelton contributed to this report.
39 min ago
Dianne Feinstein, longtime senator from California, will be remembered at San Francisco City Hall today
From CNN's Shania Shelton
Mourners will gather on the front steps of San Francisco City Hall in California Thursday to remember the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein at a funeral service.
The memorial, which will take place at 1 p.m. PT, will be closed to the public, Feinstein's office announced Wednesday, citing "increased security." Feinstein's office did not provide further explanation as to the reason for increased security.
Feinstein, who died last week at 90, was born in San Francisco and was the first female mayor of the city, a position she held for 10 years. She later served in the US Senate for more than 30 years.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed, President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Feinstein's granddaughter Eileen Mariano are expected to speak at Feinstein's memorial, according to the late Democratic senator's office.
The Senate floor will close Thursday so members can attend the service.
A live stream link for those unable to attend will be provided. Following the service, the longtime senator will be buried at a private ceremony.
Californians paid their respects to the late senator on Wednesday, as she lied in state at San Francisco City Hall.
A plane from the president's military fleet carrying the body of Feinstein, accompanied by Pelosi, arrived in San Francisco on Saturday evening.
California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Laphonza Butler to fill Feinstein's seat on an interim basis, and she was sworn in on Tuesday.
38 min ago
In photos: Dianne Feinstein lies in state
From CNN Digital’s Photo Team
Californians paid their respects to the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein on Wednesday, as the political titan was lying in state at San Francisco City Hall.
A plane from the president’s military fleet carrying the body of Feinstein, accompanied by Rep. Nancy Pelosi, arrived in San Francisco on Saturday evening.
See photos from the event on Wednesday:
The body of Sen. Dianne Feinstein is placed at City Hall on Wednesday in San Francisco. Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP
Rep. Nancy Pelosi, surrounded by her family and Feinstein's, stands over the casket of Sen. Dianne Feinstein as she lies in state at San Francisco City Hall on Wednesday. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
A man signs a condolence book for Feinstein's family at San Francisco's City Hall on Wednesday. Carlos Barria/Reuters
Dianne Feinstein’s granddaughter Eileen Mariano is hugged by her mother Katherine Feinstein as the body of the late senator arrives outside of City Hall. Jessica Christian/Pool/Reuters
Members of the public wait in line to pay their respects to the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein. Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
The funeral for former Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the longest-serving female senator in US history, will be held in San Francisco on the front steps of City Hall today.
Following the service, the longtime senator will be buried at a private, family-only ceremony.
Feinstein, whose served in the Senate for three decades, died last week following months of declining health. She was 90.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi, surrounded by her family, stand over the casket of Sen. Dianne Feinstein at San Francisco City Hall on October 4. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Colleagues of former Sen. Dianne Feinstein remembered the late senator fondly a day after her death.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi hailed her fellow Californian as a “champion for the Golden State” and Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois remembered her as “one of the great ones.”
GOP Rep. Kevin McCarthy, then House Speaker, also of California, began his remarks to reporters Friday morning by honoring Feinstein as someone who “blazed a trail for women.”
In emotional remarks on the Senate floor, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer asked for a moment of silence.
Per Senate tradition, Feinstein’s desk was draped with a black cloth with a vase of white flowers atop it.
“Dianne Feinstein is not like the others. She’s in a class of her own,” Schumer said, later adding, “America is a better place because of Sen. Dianne Feinstein.”
And President Joe Biden, himself a longtime colleague of Feinstein’s for more than 15 years, called her a “cherished friend.”
CNN’s Lauren Fox, Haley Talbot, Manu Raju and Shania Shelton contributed to this report.
Sen. Laphonza Butler is sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris in the Old Senate Chamber at the Capitol on October 3. Anna Rose Layden/Getty Images
Democratic Sen. Laphonza Butler made history Tuesday when she was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris as the first out Black lesbian to enter Congress and the only Black woman presently serving in the Senate.
Butler, who was appointed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, becomes only the third Black woman to serve as a US senator. Her appointment allows a Democratic majority in the chamber through early January 2025
Newsom publicly pledged to appoint a Black woman if Feinstein were to vacate her office and told NBC’s “Meet the Press” earlier this month that he would make an “interim appointment” who wouldn’t be any of the candidates who are seeking the seat in next year’s election.
CNN's Clare Foran, Paul LeBlanc, Lauren Fox, Haley Talbot, Manu Raju and Shania Shelton contributed to this report.
Mourners will gather on the front steps of San Francisco City Hall in California Thursday to remember the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein at a funeral service.
The memorial, which will take place at 1 p.m. PT, will be closed to the public, Feinstein's office announced Wednesday, citing "increased security." Feinstein's office did not provide further explanation as to the reason for increased security.
Feinstein, who died last week at 90, was born in San Francisco and was the first female mayor of the city, a position she held for 10 years. She later served in the US Senate for more than 30 years.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed, President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Feinstein's granddaughter Eileen Mariano are expected to speak at Feinstein's memorial, according to the late Democratic senator's office.
The Senate floor will close Thursday so members can attend the service.
A live stream link for those unable to attend will be provided. Following the service, the longtime senator will be buried at a private ceremony.
Californians paid their respects to the late senator on Wednesday, as she lied in state at San Francisco City Hall.
A plane from the president's military fleet carrying the body of Feinstein, accompanied by Pelosi, arrived in San Francisco on Saturday evening.
California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Laphonza Butler to fill Feinstein's seat on an interim basis, and she was sworn in on Tuesday.
Californians paid their respects to the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein on Wednesday, as the political titan was lying in state at San Francisco City Hall.
A plane from the president’s military fleet carrying the body of Feinstein, accompanied by Rep. Nancy Pelosi, arrived in San Francisco on Saturday evening.
See photos from the event on Wednesday:
The body of Sen. Dianne Feinstein is placed at City Hall on Wednesday in San Francisco. Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP
Rep. Nancy Pelosi, surrounded by her family and Feinstein's, stands over the casket of Sen. Dianne Feinstein as she lies in state at San Francisco City Hall on Wednesday. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
A man signs a condolence book for Feinstein's family at San Francisco's City Hall on Wednesday. Carlos Barria/Reuters
Dianne Feinstein’s granddaughter Eileen Mariano is hugged by her mother Katherine Feinstein as the body of the late senator arrives outside of City Hall. Jessica Christian/Pool/Reuters
Members of the public wait in line to pay their respects to the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein. Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
